Method and system of web site construction

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for providing a web site, the method comprising: hosting a web site on a web server, the web site having at least one template page defined by a template, the template defining how content should be assembled into a page by a client&#39;s browser; the web server receiving a request for a template page from a client computer; the client&#39;s browser ascertains a content identifier on the basis of the request and sends the content identifier to a content server; the content server searching records of the content server to locate a set of content associated with the content identifier, formats it, and sends the set of content to the client.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus forproviding a web site.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past many businesses have invested in a web site believing itwill generate new business, streamline processes, replace promotionalliterature, or provide better levels of client or customer service.

Very large organisations and government departments may attain theseobjectives but at a considerable cost with respect to the purchase ofsoftware and the human resource required in the form of highly skilledand experienced operators. However, for smaller businesses theseobjectives have rarely, if ever, been attained and many salesorganisations have failed to achieve the promised advantages of having aweb site integrated into their marketing and sales plans.

The reason for this failure is usually due to the web site owner'sinability to immediately and easily alter the content on their site.Normally they must invest in specialist software, such as DreamWeaver,or employ the costly expertise of an independent web developmentservice. Currently, if a web site owner requires the content of his website altered, a combination of expertise, software, time, delay, andtraining are all required. The resultant cost of such a processgenerally ends in reduced amendments to web site content and as such,many web sites do not remain current with respect to the informationdisplayed.

This situation is often evidenced by the fact that Newsletters are notaltered after the initial ‘rush’, with the last showing an ‘update date’many months, if not years, prior to the current date.

Adding services such as e-commerce, running applets, or incorporating anIntranet to a site have provided tools for helping businesses get morefrom a web site but these require even more expertise to operateproperly.

In some instances a database structure is linked to a web site addingmore flexibility but also more cost and complexity, both the databaseand web site are generally hosted in the same domain space. Thiscombination has led to a large number of self-contained sites makingtheir usage and development even more dependent on costly expertise.

Despite several attempts to make web sites a more useful tool thesituation has become worse. Today it's almost universal to use the sameweb site generation and maintenance methods of the past, namely, outsideexpertise using specialist software to create the html files needed tocreate the image and to carry the content of a web site. The html filesare usually stored in the web site owner's domain space and requireindividual maintenance if they are changed. Though databases have addedflexibility to content of late, this trend has further reduced theability of web site owners to control the content of their web siteswithout substantial expenditure in the form of time, effort and cost.

One previous attempt to solve this problem involves a ‘wizard’ basedsystem where the web site owner is given access to a construction andadministration system that creates a file based web site via the‘dragging, dropping and populating’ of fields. When this is done thehtml script and files are automatically generated which in turn createthe web site. Such a system usually maintains the entire site on acentral server which usually means that the site's URL is not that ofthe web site owner but usually one within a master domain. This approacheffectively provides an automated ‘specialist software’ system, and isbased on creating Pages from stored html files, the content of which theweb site owner can vary. However, such an approach continues to requirethe skills and expertise of a relatively highly skilled operator, andsystems provided commercially using this approach are often consideredtoo complex to use given existing levels of business in-house expertise.

None of the previous attempts is known to have overcome the currentproblems of web site development costs, of on-going costs, of theinability for content management by low skilled and/or inexperiencedpersonnel, or to have addressed businesses' need to have a web site thatcan be easily integrated into their marketing and sales strategies.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in thisspecification is included to explain the context of the invention. Itshould not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms partof the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevantart on or before the priority date of the claims herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of providing a web sitecomprising:

-   -   hosting a web site on a web server, said web site having at        least one template page defined by a template, said template        defining how content should be assembled into a page by a        client's computer and including at least one content identifier        corresponding to electronic content stored on a content server;    -   said web server receiving a request for a template page from a        client computer;    -   said web server responding to said request by sending said        template to said client computer;    -   said client computer ascertaining said content identifier from        said template;    -   said client computer sending a content request to said content        server according to said content identifier;    -   said content server receiving said content request and        responding by searching records of said content server to locate        content associated with said content identifier and sending said        content to said client computer;    -   said client computer assembling at least one page in accordance        with said template and including said content and displaying        said page.

The present invention also provides an apparatus for providing a website comprising:

-   -   a content server; and    -   a web server hosting a web site, said web site having at least        one template page defined by a template, said template defining        how content should be assembled into a page by a client's        computer and including at least one content identifier        corresponding to electronic content stored on a content server,        said web server being configured to receive a request for a        template page from a client computer and in response to send        said template to said client computer;    -   wherein said content server has records containing electronic        content and is configured to receive a request from said client        computer for the content associated with said content identifier        and in response to search said records to locate said content        and send said content to said client computer;    -   whereby said client computer can assemble at least one page in        accordance with said template and including said content and        then display said page.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, apreferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an apparatus according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of a web site constructed by means of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 when viewed by means of a web browser (in this figure InternetExplorer);

FIG. 3 is an example of a prior art site where displayed content is fromstored html files and is static in nature; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the steps involved from start to finish of aweb site constructed using this preferred method.

FIG. 5 is a view of a web site constructed with multiple contentidentifiers/modules as indicated by the header addresses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and unlike a priorart web site, the content of the web site is stored as records in acentral associative database rather than as a static html or similarfile/record in the web site owner's own webserver space. As explained inmore detail, the content is called when a url containing the requiredcontent identifier is loaded by the client browser (either when thesite's template is loaded or a subsequent menu item selected), thecontent server receives this request, a script running on the contentserver organises related records and converts them into a layout andformat a Browser can display, this data is delivered to the site itselfand displayed in the area designated by the site's image template. Therecords stored in this central database (and hence the content) caneasily be changed by the site owner, which makes changing such contenteasier than in prior art arrangements where the owner of the web sitegenerally must wait for expensive in-house expertise or a third party toimplement any changes. In this embodiment, the only component whichrequires technical expertise of the type noted is the template page andits associated files/records.

A web site developed in this way allows changes to be made immediatelyand easily by non-expert staff, and accordingly it becomes a truecommunication tool, just like a letter, flyer or brochure. As distinctfrom a conventional site, such a web site can become the primary meansan entity has for saying who it is, what it does, what's sold, whom theysupply or sell through, their range of products and services, and can beused for the very rapid introduction of any new product or service. Thisconstruction method can also make content identified by a chosen contentidentifier private and secure, so that it requires a client specificuser ID and Password for access.

For example, when a new product is released the Sales Manger'sdepartment can now add information, more easily and without specialistsoftware or expertise, about the product to the Site because littletechnical expertise is required; the Sales Manger's department canthereby make that information immediately available to the public and/ora distribution chain. In this way products can be released sooner; salesstaff can use the site to sell immediately and without having to waitfor promotional literature; the entire distribution system knows of thisinformation immediately; and all clients can start ordering straightaway rather than having to wait for sales staff. For smaller companiesin particular, this permits the virtual launch of a product or serviceto be a reality for the first time without requiring outside help orsignificant internal expertise. A conventional site can not offer thisease, speed, or cost efficiency.

Referring now to the accompanying Figures, FIG. 1 shows that in theapparatus of the preferred embodiment there is provided a centralassociative database 4 stored on a content server, where two main tablescontrol all client and content identification, and which enables thecontent server to act as a content manager for a plurality of sites. Theassociative database may be an SQL or equivalent database. The maintables in this central database 4 manage the identification process of aweb site owners content. The content is stored as one or more sets ofcontent known as content modules 1, each with its own contentidentifier, into which the site owner enters content. Each contentmodule consists of one or more records (articles), each having its ownidentifier but all associated with the content module identifier, which,in turn, contain product information or the like. Thus, each contentmodule is identified by a content identifier and has one or moreassociated records (articles) that the web site owner has added.

A web site has no content unless at least one content identifier/moduleis purchased, leased or rented and associated with it, and that contentidentifier/module in turn has no content unless the web site owner hasadded one or more ‘articles’.

A ‘content module’ 1 identifier is generated by the system'sadministration tool 12 when a new web site owner is added to the system,or an existing web site owner purchases, rents or leases further contentmodules for ‘bolting-on’ to their web site. The web site owner then usesthat identifier to access URL based editing tools 2 to add records(articles) to a content module 1. Content modules and related records(articles) are controlled by tables within the central database 4.

In response to a request from a client (usually a user computer runningbrowser software), the web server sends a template/index file which theclient loads. This creates the look and image of the site and containsone or more content identifier URLs, usually as part of the menustructure, though a content module can be loaded when the templateitself loads. If a content module is to be loaded immediately orsubsequently via a menu structure, then the client sends such requestsin the form of a URL directly to the content server, which activates thecentral database management program that collects, and formats, theassociated content and sends it directly to the client for display inthe template. In the preferred embodiment the content server formats thecontent into a portion of html which the client computer assembles intoa page by inserting it in the template format into a reserved area ofthe template page. The template page is the basic web site structurethat gives a professional look and feel to the site. It contains nocontent per se, but calls and displays content modules 1 when required.

A web site constructed under this method usually obtains all product,service and business related content from content modules 1.

Information is entered into a content module 1 as records into thecentral database 4 but are seen as ‘articles’ when displayed. If these‘articles’ become numerous and stretch over a long period of time theweb site owner may add a search function that will allow the viewer tosearch through the articles of a content module. When an ‘article’ isadded through the URL based editing tools 6 it is also given its ownunique identifier that is matched to the content module identifier ofthe content module to which it belongs, all being stored in the centraldatabase's main client and article tables. A content module 1 cancontain a large number of records, and therefore a lot of web sitecontent. FIG. 2, for example, is a view of a web site constructed bymeans of the apparatus of FIG. 1 using a template (3) page and a contentmodule, and shows how a number of ‘articles’ can be displayed when therelevant content module 1 is loaded by a template (3). Note also in FIG.2 how ‘articles’ can be categorised 13, 8, or archived 21 after a setperiod of time, and that the top most record (article) may beautomatically opened 22, and 11 when the content module 1 is loaded.FIG. 5 is an example of how a menu system, 40A and 40B, allows manycontent modules to be attached to a web site for loading when requested.

When an ‘article’ is created it is given a title and when the contentmodule 1 is loaded to a web site all associated titles are usuallydisplayed down the left hand side of the space provided by the site'stemplate 3 giving the viewer a chance to choose what they wish to readby clicking on a title. However, the content of only one article isusually displayed at a time and down the right hand side of the spaceprovided by the site's template 3. This open ‘article’ is usually thefirst in the list of titles sent to the client when the content moduleis loaded as it is usually the latest or most important.

When an ‘article’ is added to a content module 1 it is preferably givena date. The system uses this date for archiving purposes and relates itto a set length of time before archiving, a period of time set by theadministration tool 12 when the web site owner initially purchases,leases or rents a content module. The content module 1 owner has theability also to set an article's creation date to whatever they desire.When this period is reached the article in question can be automaticallyarchived. Until a record (article) is deleted it will always beavailable through the content module 1 it is associated with.

A new or existing web site owner can be added to the central database 4,usually as a result of purchasing, leasing or renting access to one ormore content modules 1 for storing their web site content, via thesystem administration tool 12 that enters their details into a clienttable within the central SQL or equivalent database when creating thecontent module 1 in the first place. It does this by assigning each aunique identifier and password.

A web site owner may have contracted access to more than one contentmodule 1 but every module has it's own identifier assigned when created.This identifier is used to manage associated content (articles), foraccessing module editing tools, and for when the content module 1 URL iscalled to a web site.

The content in a content module 1 may be added by the web site ownerwhenever they feel it is appropriate to do so and can also be alteredwhenever they feel it's appropriate. The management of records within acontent module 1 is carried out by using a URL based editing tool 2, atool that can be accessed where ever a PC has Internet access. Anychanges to content are delivered immediately to the site for display viathe template 3. To use the editing tool 2 the web site owner has tologin by entering a content module's 1 identifier and password,initially allocated by the system's administration tools 12 when thecontent module 1 was created, into the appropriate fields when the URLbased login screen 6 is displayed in a browser. The identifier andpassword can be altered by the system administration tools 12. Thecontent module editing tools 2 are where the web site owner can performsuch tasks as add, delete, display, prioritise by date, and edit contentto make it ready for display in the template 3 when called. Such contentmanagement is done primarily within the client and article tables of theassociative database 4 and on a content module 1 by content module 1basis.

A web site developer, either in-house or externally, initially producesa template 3 that creates the basic web site structure into which, whenlaunched, is loaded a content modules 1 that contains the specificcontent usually defined within the template 3 by a topic such as “LatestNews”. Other content modules 1 will be loaded when called if the imagetemplate 3 has a mechanism to do so such as a button in a navigationpanel or multi-layer menu structure. A site's template 3 includeselements that give the site an image by combining components such ascolour, one or more gif files 16, one or more logos, watermark(s) ifrequired, navigational mechanisms such as Buttons 10, the site owner'sname 19, a space for loading the content module into, and other sundryitems such as an address 17 if desired. If no Home Page is present thenthe template 3 calls an initial content module 1 for display.

The template 3 typically defines an area of a display 9 into which acontent module 1 is loaded for display by the browser software 15 of theclient. Typically, to ensure content is loaded properly, the template 3page will either load the content module into a Frame or run a scriptsuch as PHP or PERL.

A web site developed in this manner may include more than one contentmodule and be navigated by use of linking mechanisms such as Buttons 10or menu system 40. In this case, each Button 10 in the navigation bar orfinal menu level item 40B, calls another content module to replace thefirst. An example of multiple content modules is shown in the screenshot of FIG. 5. In general, a Button or menu item may or may not alsocause changes within the image template 3 such as a new colour and logoshould the Button 10 in question be used, for example, for access to anassociated company. In this way all business specific content displayed9 is a record from the central SQL or equivalent database rather than astored static html file or database record from the server where thetemplate files are stored, as is the case with a traditional site. Itwill also be appreciated that the site itself can perform no role onbehalf of the web site owner if no content has been added to anyassociated content modules 1 as no content will be displayed if there isnone to display.

A prior art site is illustrated, by way of distinction, in FIG. 3. Inthe site shown in FIG. 3, the displayed content 25 is from stored htmlfiles and is static in nature 26, that is, the web site owner has noimmediate control over it other than by means of costly and timeconsuming input from a specialist web site expertise using specialistsoftware. It is because of these limitations that such content 25 isvery limited in volume, is inflexible, and most significantly,limits—over time—the web site owner's ability to actually use such asite to the company's benefit. Such sites tend to cease being part of acompany's marketing strategy (or cease to be updated) soon after theirintroduction.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of the main steps involved in creating a website using this preferred method of the present invention, where thesystem administrator or representative thereof creates a content module1 and provides the identifier URL to the web site owner for use via atemplate 3. During this process the developer may have a test site 34where the web site owner can see what image and ‘look’ is beingdeveloped. This test site should also allow the display of the contentcontained in the content module(s) 1, though the web site owner canstart to add content via the secure content module editing tools 2immediately they have the respective content modules(s) 1 login details.

When a web site has been developed using this method all supportingfiles such as .gifs, can be uploaded to the web site owner's domain webspace 39 or equivalent. Thus, the web site owner's domain space is usedfor the storage of any extra images and files that are to be loaded intoan ‘article’ when the relevant title is selected from a listing in adisplayed content module. Such images and files are usually posted tothis space by using a standard ftp program when the site owner wishes touse such images and files in one or more ‘articles’. The method of thisinvention thus requires less domain web space than a conventional website.

A traditional Home Page and/or a traditional static content page basedon a stored html file may be incorporated into a web site developedaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention withoutcompromising the spirit and uniqueness of this invention. That is, themajority of pages will still be formed of content modules.

This method of web site construction of the preferred embodiment isparticularly suited to smaller businesses, which are able to gainconsiderable cost savings and business development benefits by beingable to have current staff use a web site as easily as they currentlyuse a word processor. This end is achieved by removal of the need forspecialist software and expertise or training. Current problems that arereplaced with an ability for quick editing by existing and untrainedemployees so that products can be taken to market quicker, the costs ofsales aids and tools can all but be removed, the need for expertise isgone, and the initial cost of web site development can be considerablylessened.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention enables theconstruction of a web site based on using web site owner controlledcentral database records for the supply of content rather thantraditional stored html files/records. Records that are stored andmanaged in a large global SQL or equivalent database but called toindividual sites by its image template. The preferred embodiment isparticularly suited to having many sites attached to one centraldatabase rather than the ‘norm’ of web sites consisting mainly offiles/records stored on individual web servers. In particular, thismeans that only one central database need be maintained for a pluralityof web sites. The central database is itself populated by informationadded by the web site owner and whose data is identifiable by anidentifier given when they were initially added to the system.Information records (articles) associated to this identifier and theidentifier itself may be termed a content module and by calling thisidentifier for display via the image template all associated contentrecords, usually known as articles and having their own identifier, areas one supplied to the web site.

All content can be controlled by the web site owner via a secure URLbased content module editing tool, then by adding a new or selecting anexisting ‘article’ to edit or delete. This tool allows the combinationof text, HTML script, images, hyperlinks to other internet basedresources, and file types such as PDF, .doc and xis to be used in anarticle. The content module editing tool requires a content module'sUser identifier and Password before product, service or businessspecific content can be added, edited or deleted.

Each content module can be set for either Public access or Privateaccess so that a private Intranet could be added to a site if desired.The latter has a second User identifier and Password set and both areneeded for access once the content module is loaded into a site'stemplate. This User identifier and Password are added by theAdministration tool either when the content module is originally set upor subsequently on demand by the web site owner.

The content delivered by a public content module should be visibleimmediately to the viewer while that delivered by a private contentmodule requires the viewer to complete a login procedure before contentis displayed. The latter can be used, for example, as an Intranet by theweb site owner.

A central database manager uses an administration interface to allocate,establish and otherwise set up each new content module that the imagetemplate uses to add content to the finished web site. This mechanismideally attaches the name of the web site owner and contact details tothe module and allocates a unique identifier. It can also control theURL and style sheet file the site can use to load the content module toensure ‘articles’ are displayed on the client PC as part of the siteitself. It is here also that the module can be designated as eitherpublic or private. This interface then lists all content modules andallows management functions such as edit, change password, delete, andchange Intranet password.

Some advantages associated with implementing a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, include:

-   -   The system removes the considerable amount of time often wasted        while the web site developer waits for content, here a        professional site is produced and the web site owner is        responsible for adding content themselves.    -   The system removes the need for expertise with post development        content editing which, in turn, promotes far greater use of the        web site itself by the owner, making it a more powerful business        tool for the web site owner.    -   The system removes the need for the existing developer/web        master layer between the internet and the site owner resulting        in much lower ongoing web site costs.    -   Changes to the content modules editing tools are universal and        usually free where as currently such changes are hard to share        amongst all clients and are usually a cost to the web site        owner.    -   A web site now has the potential to become a significant        component of a business's marketing and sales strategy.    -   The system also has the potential to realistically remove much        of the cost associated with flyer and brochure production,        something existing web sites have rarely been able to do.    -   The system removes the need for any expertise or specialist PC        based software so that even the most junior member of staff can        now be given the task of running the business's increasingly        powerful selling and marketing tool.

These advantages allow smaller businesses especially, for the firsttime, to start using a web site as a true sales and marketing aid. Whenthis happens sales teams and re-sellers are better empowered than everbefore and the savings in areas such as printed brochures and flyerswill be considerable

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit of the essential characteristics of theinvention, it should be understood that the above described embodimentsare not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, butrather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of theinvention. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements areintended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention andappended claims.

1. A method of providing a web site comprising: hosting a web site on aweb server, said web site having at least one template page defined by atemplate, said template defining how content should be assembled into apage by a client's computer and including at least one contentidentifier corresponding to electronic content stored on a contentserver; said web server receiving a request for a template page from aclient computer; said web server responding to said request by sendingsaid template to said client computer; said client computer ascertainingsaid content identifier from said template; said client computer sendinga content request to said content server according to said contentidentifier; said content server receiving said content request andresponding by searching records of said content server to locate contentassociated with said content identifier and sending said content to saidclient computer; said client computer assembling at least one page inaccordance with said template and including said content and displayingsaid page.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contentcomprises a set of content records stored in database, said recordsbeing indexed by said content identifier.
 3. 3. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said content identifier comprises a URL comprising afirst portion corresponding to said content server and a second portioncorresponding to said content.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein said content server formats said content into a portion ofmark-up language before sending it to said client computer.
 5. A methodas claimed in claim 1, further comprising said content server havingrecords for a plurality of web sites, said records being identified bycontent identifiers unique to the web site to which the content of therecords belong.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said requestis sent in response to a user operating said client computer to selectsaid content.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprisingproviding access to said records of said content server belonging tosaid web site to an administrator of said web site and providing meansto enable said administrator to modify said records to thereby modifythe content of said web site.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 1,comprising providing one or more scripts in said template page to enablecommunication with said content server.
 9. A method as claimed in claim5, wherein said method is used to provide a plurality of web sites eachhaving at least one template page specific to the web site
 10. A methodas claimed in claim 1, further comprising providing a template having aplurality of content identifiers corresponding to different sets ofcontent, ascertaining which content identifier relates to the request onthe basis of the request and sending the ascertained content identifierto said content server.
 11. Apparatus for providing a web sitecomprising: a content server; and a web server hosting a web site, saidweb site having at least one template page defined by a template, saidtemplate defining how content should be assembled into a page by aclient's computer and including at least one content identifiercorresponding to electronic content stored on a content server, said webserver being configured to receive a request for a template page from aclient computer and in response to send said template to said clientcomputer; wherein said content server has records containing electroniccontent and is configured to receive a request from said client computerfor the content associated with said content identifier and in responseto search said records to locate said content and send said content tosaid client computer; whereby said client computer can assemble at leastone page in accordance with said template and including said content andthen display said page.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, whereinsaid content comprises a set of content records stored in a database,said records being indexed by said content identifier.
 13. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 11, wherein said content identifier comprises a URLcomprising a first portion corresponding to said content server and asecond portion corresponding to said content.
 14. Apparatus as claimedin claim 11, wherein said content server is configured to format saidcontent into a portion of mark-up language before sending said contentto said client computer.
 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, furthercomprising means for providing access to said records of said contentserver belonging to said web site to an administrator of said web siteand providing means to enable said administrator to modify said recordsto thereby modify the content of said web site.
 16. Apparatus as claimedin claim 11, wherein one or more scripts are provided in said templatepage to enable communication with said content server.
 17. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 13, comprising a plurality of web servers, each hostingat least one web site, each having at least one template page specificto the web site.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein saidtemplate has a plurality of content identifiers corresponding todifferent content, and said client sends a content identifier to saidcontent server on the basis of a selection by a user of said clientcomputer.